LINDA SHOEMAKER: Texas women under attack

SAN ANGELO, Texas - We lost Dr. Ralph Chase too soon, and sadly, during Women's History Month. Women need more advocates such as Chase, who said, "America's treasured asset, her womanhood, has blessed our nation's past as it will our future."

His words are a far cry from the cacophony we hear today from various groups. It feels like war has been declared against women. Even the most basic issue — contraception — is no longer assured.

People speak of the American dream, the idea that young people would graduate, find a good job, get married, buy a home and have children. Women would stay at home and care for the children.

But the men coming home from World War II found that profound change had occurred in their absence. Large numbers of the female population had entered the workforce while their husbands were overseas fighting.

The GI Bill enabled veterans to further their dream by getting a college education paid for by tax dollars. The legislation paid for itself when vets got better jobs, increased their wages, maybe started a business and paid more taxes. Perhaps their wives continued their jobs while spouses went to school.

The economy and the culture were shifting. When couples were able to plan and limit their family size, the dream's fulfillment was more easily accomplished.

Stephanie March recently recounted the history of how Planned Parenthood evolved here from an organization known as the Mothers' Health Center of San Angelo. Some of her facts bear repeating.

More than 25 percent of Texas women are uninsured and Texas women have the third-highest cervical cancer rate in the country. The Medicaid Women's Health Program had provided basic preventive health care to more than 130,000 women each year. The services provided were birth control and lifesaving cancer screenings such as Pap tests and clinical breast exams. The largest provider of services was Planned Parenthood.

Why am I using the past tense? Because powerful groups have declared war on women by attacking Planned Parenthood. Our governor and his ilk have decided that the Texas program for low-income women cannot use Planned Parenthood clinics. Thus, Texas no longer qualifies to receive millions of dollars for women's health issues.

I am grateful for March's column and agree wholeheartedly with her reminder: Don't mess with Texas women.

Some Planned Parenthood clinics provide pregnancy termination. Our local clinic does not. The controversy is primarily about terminating unplanned pregnancies, but even contraception is forbidden by some religious organizations.

When word spread that the Women's Health Program would lose funding, Texans, of all ages and gender, exercising a First Amendment freedom, held rallies throughout the state. Anti-abortion groups have demonstrated at the San Angelo Planned Parenthood clinic for quite some time, but supporters of reproductive freedom only since March 8.

Last Saturday morning, anti-abortion forces held a parade on Pecos. Some calls were made to the police department by neighborhood residents. An officer parked near the facility. Its supporters had learned they should not encourage honking.

However, at least four drivers who gave unsolicited supportive honks were ticketed. The officer's actions showed poor judgment. He could have issued warning tickets or given an oral warning to the unsuspecting drivers.

I urge the drivers to plead "not guilty" and will help anyone who received a ticket. I can be reached at 655-VOTE. And to all readers, if you love and respect the women in your circle of family and friends, please don't treat them like second-class citizens.

Primary election

The redistricting court battle has been settled for now and we will hold the Texas presidential primary on May 29. Pursuant to court order, we will select delegates to state and national convention by the convention method. No Texas Two-Step in 2012!

The local Democratic Party's County Convention is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 at Southside Recreation Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Road. Any interested voter is allowed to attend. You must, however, choose to participate in only one party's convention and primary. An oath of affiliation will be part of the sign-in process.

You will need your precinct number, so bring your voter registration certificate. Participants can introduce resolutions calling for action or to end action on various issues.

We are allowed 20 delegates and alternates to the state convention in Houston on June 8-9. The convention will begin with a welcoming address from a beloved Democrat, former state Rep. Dick Burnett.